EP3798741A1 - Clockwork - Google Patents

Abstract

Watch movement (1) comprising: - a main frame (3) serving as a support for a motor source (5) as well as for at least one base train (7) arranged to be driven by said motor source (5); - at at least one flying bridge (11) mounted in cantilever on an element of said main frame (3) and extending in superposition of the latter, characterized in that said flying bridge (11) carries at least one functional element ( 13; 9) in kinematic connection with said base train (7) via a flywheel (17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d), and in that said functional element (13; 9) as well as 'at least some elements of said flywheel (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) are fully supported on said flywheel (11).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates more particularly to a watch movement having a particular frame construction.

State of the art

In so-called “complicated” timepieces, that is to say parts comprising several additional mechanisms, one of the problems often encountered is a volume defect in the movement to arrange the various mechanisms and / or on the dial for arranging displays, animations and other visual elements. The most commonly used solution, concerning the size of the movement, is that of increasing its thickness, by providing mechanisms on (sets of) additional levels. The movement is thus made very thick, which requires a bulky watch case. The MB&F Legacy Machine parts series overcomes this problem to a point. In this construction, the sprung balance assembly is mounted between, on the one hand, a first bearing arranged conventionally in the frame and, on the other hand, a second bearing carried by a pair of cantilevered arms surmounting the mechanism and defining a flying bridge. However, the exhaust system is still disposed on the frame in a relatively conventional manner, requiring a passage for the balance axis. The fact that one of the bearings for the balance axis is arranged conventionally on the frame implies traditional construction constraints concerning the pivoting on the frame as well as on the arrangement of the escapement.

With regard to the arrangement of displays, animations etc., a common solution is to have some of these visual elements on the back side of the room, visible through a transparent background. However, these elements do not are not visible when the watch is worn by a user, the latter having to be removed and returned to be able to consult these displays.

The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a watch movement in which one or other of the aforementioned defects is at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of the invention

• un bâti principal, comprenant typiquement une platine et au moins un pont, servant de support pour une source motrice ainsi que pour au moins un rouage de base agencé pour être entrainé par ladite source motrice ;
• au moins un pont volant monté en porte-à-faux sur un élément dudit bâti principal et s'étendant en superposition de ce dernier.

More precisely, the invention relates to a watch movement as defined by claim 1. This movement comprises:

• a main frame, typically comprising a plate and at least one bridge, serving as a support for a motor source as well as for at least one base gear arranged to be driven by said motor source;
• at least one flying bridge mounted in cantilever on an element of said main frame and extending in superposition of the latter.

According to the invention, said flying bridge carries at least one functional element such as a display member, a regulating system (such as a balance-spring-escapement system), a winding oscillating mass or the like, in kinematic connection. with said base cog via a flywheel. For the rest, said functional element as well as at least some elements of said flywheel are fully supported by said flywheel. In other words, the organs in question are pivoted exclusively on the flying bridge, without the intervention of any bearing located on the main frame.

By these means, the functional element, whether it is a display member, an (element of the) regulating system or the like, can be located in superposition of the main frame, without requiring any bearing carried by the latter. Space in the movement is thus generated, without the obligation to stack even more levels on the main frame, and this not only on the flying bridge but also on the main frame, thus giving the manufacturer more freedom. Indeed, when the movement is nested, the flying bridge extends into the gap between the main frame and the mirror (or alternatively the bottom which can also be transparent) and thus uses space which is typically unused.

Advantageously, the assembly of said flywheel is fully supported by said flywheel.

In a particular embodiment, the movement may include at least two flying bridges each carrying a respective flying gear. The latter may be independent of one another or may mesh with each other at the level of a respective toothed mobile of each flywheel in order to transmit torque from one side of the main frame to the other. In particular, this meshing can take place at the level of the last mobile of each flywheel.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a case closed at least on one side by a crystal as well as a movement as described above mounted in said case, said functional element as well as said flying bridge lying between said main frame and said glass.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une partie d'un mouvement horloger selon l'invention ;
• Fig. 2 est une vue isométrique d'une partie d'une autre variante d'un mouvement horloger selon l'invention, comprenant deux ponts volants portant des rouages volants qui engrènent entre eux ;
• Fig. 3 est une vue schématique d'une partie d'une autre variante d'un mouvement horloger selon l'invention, dans laquelle le pont volant porte le système réglant.

Other details of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of part of a watch movement according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 is an isometric view of part of another variant of a watch movement according to the invention, comprising two flying bridges carrying flying cogs which mesh with each other;
• Fig. 3 is a schematic view of part of another variant of a watch movement according to the invention, in which the flying bridge carries the regulating system.

Embodiments of the invention

The figure 1 schematically illustrates part of a watch movement 1 according to the invention. This movement comprises a main frame 3, comprising a plate and at least one bridge as generally known and which therefore do not need to be described in detail.

The main frame 3 carries a motor source 5, illustrated here as a conventional barrel, housing a mainspring. Other types of motor sources 5, such as an electric motor, can also find an application in the movement 1 according to the invention. The power source 5 can be pivotally mounted between two frame elements or can be mounted in a flying manner, supported exclusively on one of its sides, as generally known.

The driving source 5 drives a main gear 7, partially illustrated (the rest of the main gear 7 being illustrated schematically by means of thick arrows), which is supported by the frame and which comprises a plurality of toothed wheels, one or more belts, chains or the like or a combination of such elements, as generally known. In addition, the type of toothing of the toothed wheels can be straight, but also inclined, conical, with edge or similar, according to the needs of the construction and the shape of the bridge.

In the present case, the gear train 7 also drives a regulating system 9 mounted on the main frame 3, for example of the balance-spring-escapement type of any kind, a mono-, bi- or tri-axial tourbillon, a carousel , or any other known regulating system used to determine the rate of the movement. In addition, each of the regulating systems may or may not be inclined relative to the plane of the main frame 3.

The clockwork movement also includes a flying bridge 11, mounted cantilever on the main frame 3, in particular on a bridge or on the plate of the latter. In other words, the flying bridge has an end fixed to the main frame 3 as well as a free end. The flying bridge 11 extends superimposed over the main frame 3 and carries at least one functional element 13, which is, in this case, a hand arranged to display horological information such as seconds, minutes, hours, etc. the day, date, week number, moon phase or any other horological information. Instead of a needle, a disc or any other type of display member may be provided. Likewise, the display mechanism can be for example retrograde, jumping, or any type of mechanism known to those skilled in the art.

This functional element 13 is fully supported by the flying bridge 11, by means of a pair of bearings 15a, 15b arranged on either side of the flying bridge 11, or by any other ad hoc arrangement serving to support it. It is obvious that any type of bearing can be envisaged, such as, for example, ball bearings or even any other type of bearing known to those skilled in the art.

The functional element 13 is integral in rotation with an element 17a of a flywheel gear 17, which is made up of three toothed wheels 17a, 17b, 17c, which are each fully supported by the flywheel 11 and which form a driven gear by a driving wheel set 7a mounted on the main frame 3 and driven by the motor source 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile units 17a and 17c each comprise a single toothed wheel, while the mobile unit 17b consists of a wheel and a pinion, but other combinations of toothed elements are also possible. By “fully supported” is meant that the pivoting of the mobiles 17a, 17b, 17c takes place exclusively on the flying bridge, without any use of a bearing located on the main frame 3.

As illustrated, all the toothed wheels 17a, 17b, 17c are mounted on the lower side of the flying bridge 11 facing the main frame 3, but it is also possible to mount them all on the other side of the bridge 11, next to the user. For the rest, a combination of toothed elements on both sides of the flying bridge 11 is also possible, in which case at least some of the mobiles can include a toothed element on each face of the bridge, linked together by a shaft, a barrel. or similar.

Furthermore, it is also possible to provide several functional elements 13 each integral in rotation with a different mobile 17a, 17b, 17c of the flywheel 17. By adapting the gear ratios appropriately, the flywheel can for example be used. as a timer, displaying the time by means of a rotating functional element 13 of the mobile 17a, and the minutes by a functional element integral in rotation or driven by the mobile 17b or 17c. Thus, depending on the inclination of the moving parts 17a, 17b, 17c of the flywheel, it is possible to have an additional functional element integral with several (or indeed all) of the latter with an inclination different from one of the latter. 'other, parallel to the axis of its respective mobile. This can give an original aesthetic effect to the timepiece.

As shown in the figure 2 , on which the elements carried by the main frame 3 have not been shown, it is also possible to provide a plurality of flying bridges 11 and flying cogs 17, which can mesh with each other at their last mobile 17a. Alternatively, the two flywheels 17 may not cooperate directly with each other. Such an arrangement will allow the watchmaker to provide, for example, a space in the center of the movement 1, the majority of the elements of the movement forming part of the flying cogs 17. This space can be transparent, or can contain any object (sculpture, animation, game device etc.)

In the illustrated variant, each mobile 17a carries a functional element 13 such as a needle, but it is also possible to provide only one functional element carried by one or the other of the flywheels 17. In this construction , the needles rotate in opposite directions, with an angular speed ratio which depends on the gear ratio between the two moving parts 17a. It is also possible to interpose a return between the two wheels 17a, or to mount one of the needles integral in rotation with the mobile 17b on one or the other of the flywheels 17. Alternatively, the two flywheels 17 can be used to transmit torque from one side of the main frame to the other, without requiring a crown or cumbersome cog passing through the latter.

The figure 3 , on which the elements carried by the main frame 3 have also not been shown, illustrates yet another embodiment, in which the regulating system 9 is carried by the flying bridge 11 instead of being located on the main frame 3. In the illustrated variant, the regulating system 9 comprises a balance 21 - hairspring 23 assembly maintained in oscillation by an exhaust system 25 of conventional type, the regulating system 9 being considered as the functional element in the meaning of the invention. Alternatively, a regulating system of any other type (detent escapement, tourbillon, carousel, etc.) can be used.

The balance 21 can be mounted so as to be supported on only one of its sides (“flying balance”), for example by being supported on the flying bridge 11 by means of a ball bearing. Alternatively, the flying bridge 11 may also include a plate (not shown) carrying a conventional bearing, this plate being fixed to the flying bridge 11 by means of a screw or the like, cooperating with the opening 11a for example.

In the construction illustrated, the mobile 17d is an escape mobile comprising a pinion 17d1 located on the lower side of the flying bridge 11 as well as an escape wheel 17d2 located on the upper side of the flying bridge 11. The latter cooperates with an anchor 25a in a known manner, and clearly illustrates the principle that a mobile can include toothed elements located on either side of the bridge 11.

By these means, the balance 21 - hairspring 23 - escapement 25 assembly located on the flywheel regulates the running of the base gear 7 driven by the driving source 5, these last two elements not being shown on the figure. figure 3 .

Other alternatives which are based on the principles described above are also possible. For example, the functional element carried by the flying bridge 11 can be any animation, a display member of any horological information related to time or to movement (such as the power reserve), an oscillating weight arranged to reassemble the barrel 5 or similar.

In view of the above, it is clear that, when the movement 1 is nested, the flying bridge 11 as well as the functional element 13, 21 are will find interposed between the main frame 3 and a mirror, whether on the middle or back side.

It should also be noted that other standard elements such as a dial, a watch case, winding and / or time-setting means, etc. were not represented.

Although the invention has been previously described in connection with specific embodiments, other additional variants are also conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (9)

Watch movement (1) comprising: - a main frame (3) serving as a support for a motor source (5) as well as for at least one base train (7) arranged to be driven by said motor source (5); - at least one flying bridge (11) mounted in cantilever on an element of said main frame (3) and extending in superposition of the latter, characterized in that said flywheel (11) carries at least one functional element (13; 9) in kinematic connection with said base train (7) via a flywheel (17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d),
and in that said functional element (13; 9) as well as at least some elements of said flywheel (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) are fully supported on said flywheel (11). Movement (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the assembly of said flywheel (17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is entirely supported by said flywheel (11). Movement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said functional element is a display member (13). Movement (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said functional element is a regulating system (9). Movement (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said element is a winding oscillating weight. Movement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two flying bridges (11) each carrying a respective flying gear (17). Movement (1) according to claim 6, wherein said flywheels (17) mesh with each other. Movement (1) according to claim 7, wherein said flywheels (17) mesh with each other at the last mobile (17a) of each flywheel (17). Timepiece comprising a case closed at least on one side by a crystal and a movement (1) according to one of the preceding claims mounted in said case, said functional element (13, 9) as well as said at least a flying bridge (11) located between said main frame and said glass.

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